A Cross-Sectional Survey Investigating Māori and Non-Māori Cancer Patients' Views on Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Georgia Best, Eva Morunga, Alesha Wells, Jenny Allison, Lisa Reynolds
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs September 4, 2024 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2024.2397427 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 85 |
| Population | Cancer patients in Aotearoa New Zealand (Māori n = 32, non-Māori n = 53) |
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Psychedelic-assisted treatment Hallucinogenic therapy Entheogenic medicine Mind-altering drug therapy Oncology support Cancer treatment Cancer management Supportive cancer care Patient views Patient perspectives Patient opinions Patient attitudes Patient insights Patient openness Mental health Well-being Psychological health Emotional health Distress management Mental wellness New zealand health Aotearoa health Nz healthcare Māori health Indigenous health |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | Among 85 cancer patients, Māori reported significantly poorer psychological well-being than non-Māori. Awareness of psychedelic-assisted therapy was low and attitudes were largely neutral. The authors report that more favorable attitudes were predicted by greater awareness of psychedelics, advanced cancer stage, younger age, poorer holistic well-being, greater demoralization, and prioritizing treatment effectiveness over risks and uncertainty. |
Abstract
People with cancer experience higher rates of psychological dysfunction than the general population, with extreme inequity among indigenous people. Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is a reemerging area with promising evidence as a treatment for mental health difficulties. The current study aimed to investigate the perceptions of PAT in indigenous (Māori) and non-indigenous cancer patients in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Eighty-five cancer patients (Māori n = 32, non-Māori n = 53) completed a brief anonymous survey assessing demographics, psychological factors, and awareness and perceptions of PAT. Participants were recruited online (via social media and cancer support e-mail lists) and in person at Auckland City Hospital. Maori had significantly poorer psychological well-being than non-Māori. All participants had low awareness of this novel treatment and held largely neutral attitudes. Regression analyses revealed that predictors of more favorable attitudes toward PAT included greater awareness of psychedelics, advanced cancer stage, younger age, poorer holistic well-being, greater demoralization, and prioritizing treatment effectiveness over possible risks and uncertainty. The current study provides a foundational step in exploring perceptions toward PAT in indigenous and non-indigenous groups. These results have the potential to shape future research trials investigating PAT and further highlight the importance of indigenous involvement in the psychedelic research space.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 25
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- Constructing drug effects: A history of set and setting Drug Science, Policy and Law 2017
and 20 more in the library